50 stone riser recliner chairs (318kg)

The top of the bariatric range

A 50 stone riser recliner is built to carry a user of up to around 318kg. Very few manufacturers make chairs at this level, and those that do usually build each one to order. The frame and lift mechanism are the heaviest in the range, the motors are rated for the highest loads, and the seat is the widest you are likely to find on a riser recliner.

Because the choice is narrower than at lower ratings, it pays to understand exactly what you need before you ask for prices. That way you can be sure each supplier is quoting for a chair that genuinely suits the user, rather than the nearest model they have.

What a 50 stone chair looks like

Chairs at this rating typically have seats of about 71cm to 81cm (28 to 32 inches) wide and footrests rated to around 25 stone. Seat width, depth and height can often be adjusted or built to the user, and most are dual motor so the back and footrest can be moved independently. Many still look like a large, comfortable armchair, with a choice of fabrics and colours.

Sizing and adjustability

At 50 stone, fit is everything. A seat that is too narrow, too deep or too low makes the chair hard to use however strong it is. Before you ask for quotes, take the user's measurements using our measuring guide, and ask each supplier which dimensions can be built to measure.

Some specialist chairs also have adjustable features, such as seat height or arm height, that can be set at delivery. Ask what can be adjusted after the chair arrives, in case the user's needs change.

Planning delivery

These chairs are large and very heavy, so delivery needs planning. Measure every doorway on the route into the room with the door fully open, along with hallways, tight turns and any steps. Ask the supplier for the chair's overall width, depth and height, whether the back or arms come off for delivery and how many people they send.

• Route: check the full path from the front door to the room.
• Floor: make sure the floor where the chair will stand is flat and level.
• Space: allow room for the chair fully reclined, and clear floor in front for standing up.
• Power: place the chair near a socket so the cable stays out of walkways.

Warranty and servicing

A chair working at this level deserves good aftercare. Ask how long the frame, motors and handset are each covered, whether the warranty includes parts and labour, and who carries out repairs. Find out how quickly an engineer can usually visit and whether the supplier keeps spare parts. Regular servicing can help keep a heavily used chair running smoothly, so ask whether it is available and what it includes.

Lead times

Because most 50 stone chairs are built individually, they take longer to arrive than stock models. Ask each supplier for an expected delivery time, and whether you will be kept updated while the chair is being made. Check the returns and cancellation terms before ordering, as made-to-measure chairs can have different terms from stock items.

Compare more than one supplier

With so few chairs built to this rating, it is worth getting more than one quote and asking each supplier exactly which model they would recommend and why. Ask them to quote for the same seat size, motor set-up and features, so the differences between them are clear. A home demonstration, where available, is the best way to check the fit before you commit.

Comfort for long periods

A chair at this rating is often the user’s main seat for much of the day, so comfort over several hours matters. Look for deep, firm cushions that hold their shape, a back style that supports the user without pushing them forward, and arms at a height that makes standing up easier. Ask about fabric durability and whether arm covers or replaceable covers are available, because the front of the seat and the arms take the most wear. The handset should be easy to reach, with large, clear buttons, and a battery back-up means the chair can be returned to upright in a power cut.

If more than one person will help the user in and out of the chair, involve them in choosing it too. They will notice things such as how much space there is around the chair and how easy the controls are to reach.

Before you ask for prices

Have the user’s weight, seat measurements and the narrowest doorway on the route ready, and decide which features matter most, such as dual motor, battery back-up or adjustable seat height. Suppliers can then recommend the right chair first time, and you can compare their quotes for the same specification.

If you are not sure whether 50 stone is needed, ask suppliers to compare it with their 40 stone chairs for the same user, so you can see the difference in seat size and build.

What to ask suppliers about a 50 stone chair

• The maximum user weight for the seat and, separately, for the footrest.
• The seat width between the arms, the seat depth and the seat height.
• Whether it is single or dual motor, and whether tilt-in-space or a battery back-up is available.
• Whether it can be made to measure, and how long that takes.
• The chair’s overall size, how it is delivered, and the warranty on the frame and motors.
• Whether they offer a home demonstration.

Buying for someone who is chronically sick or disabled? Read about VAT relief on bariatric chairs.

Other weight ratings

• 25 stone159kg. Heavy-duty standard chairs and entry bariatric models.
• 30 stone190kg. Bariatric models, plus a few heavy-duty standard chairs.
• 35 stone222kg. The widest choice of bariatric models.
• 40 stone254kg. Specialist bariatric models, often made to order.
• 50 stone318kg. A small number of specialist models.